Derby will host the East Midlands’ largest combined education technology and academy trust leadership conference and expo this Spring in a landmark new partnership.
Pride Park based technology provider L.E.A.D. IT Services is joining forces with MATNetworks, an influential multi academy trust and school leaders networking organisation – which hosts popular education conferences around the country each year.
Bringing together the successful EdTech M.E.E.T. event with MATNetworks for the first time, the combined conference and exhibition will see hundreds of education delegates converge on the REACH Conference Centre on March 18 for a day of inspirational talks, hands-on learning and EdTech innovation previews.
With headline speakers including Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith – named in 2024 as one of the top five visionary women in education – and Gogglebox star and educator Baasit Siddiqui, the free-to-attend event is aimed at providing valuable Continuing Professional Development for academy trust senior leaders, business managers, IT leads and teachers who will be able to share ideas, try out the latest EdTech tools and hear from key influencers on topics such as digitally-infused learning, effective AI and VR in the classroom and developing robust cybersecurity strategies.
L.E.A.D. IT Services is a premier provider of bespoke IT support and digital transformation strategies for schools and commercial SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) across the UK, specialising in making technology an accessible and impactful tool for educators.
The company works with more than 250 schools and academy trusts around the UK including many in Derby and annually organises the M.E.E.T. EdTech event which focuses on topics such as how technology can best be used in the classroom.
The event has previously seen hundreds of head teachers, IT leads and business managers attend to find out more about how to help schoolchildren thrive in an increasingly digital world.
This year, the education community will be able to check out the latest technology innovations from suppliers such as Magma Maths and Click View, as well as have a rare chance to try out 3D printing and virtual reality headsets – a popular and cost-effective tool helping teachers give pupils valuable new experiences.
As well as headline speaker Dr Fiona Aubrey Smith, delegates will hear from Jenny Parkinson-Mills, foundation director of digitally enabled learning at Warwick Schools Foundation, who will be discuss the benefits and process of embedding digital technology into the classroom environment.
MATNetworks provides a dedicated platform for education leaders – and those who aspire to become leaders – from multi-academy trusts and local authorities to share best practices, navigate the complexities of trust management and foster collaborative growth at the executive level.
The organisation hosts community-led events around the UK, which are organised with a chief executive officer within each region to ensure the national agenda is relevant to the area.
Chaired by Kathy Hardy, chief executive officer of Derbyshire and Staffordshire based Affinity Learning Partnership, the MATNetworks conference will include speakers such as educator Baasit Siddiqui; Paul Heery, a Department for Education advisor on RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence in schools) and Mark Davis, director of Blue Apple Education.
L.E.A.D. IT Services I.T. director Lee Jepson said: “We’re excited to be launching an even bigger and better M.E.E.T. conference this year in partnership with MATNetworks. It makes sense for us to join forces in hosting an event aimed at giving leaders and educators the chance to learn from each other and our keynote speakers. Whether it’s a fun new tool to teach maths, some great time-saving tech or how to embed social inclusion throughout the school with Paul Hanmore from YouthShoots, there will be so much on offer to inspire our visitors.
“But this isn’t just about having a room full of stands. It’s about showing the Midlands education and commercial sectors just how much education technology matters.
“By bringing together the pedagogical side of tech with the strategic management side of MATNetworks, we are providing a holistic view of how innovation can drive forward a school – or an entire trust.”
MATNetworks co-founder Lucy Clarke said: “We’re excited to be partnering with L.E.A.D. IT Services for the M.E.E.T. event on 18 March. L.E.A.D. IT and MATNetworks share strongly aligned values and a genuine commitment to supporting people and practice day to day, helping to build meaningful networks of support across education.
“At MATNetworks, we believe strongly in creating local networks that bring the national education agenda into local communities. We’re working closely with Kathy Hardy, CEO of Affinity Learning Partnership to ensure the agenda reflects the needs and priorities of everyone attending.”
At the end of the conference, delegates will have the chance to network with peers as well as give back to school communities via the ‘School in a Bag’ charity initiative, which provides supplies to disadvantaged children around the world.
The event is free but interested parties are asked to register their attendance for catering purposes via this link: www.meetevent.co.uk/register
This story was written and shared on behalf of L.E.A.D. IT Services by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
